Wednesday 3rd February, Timperley to Stockport Rtn

With Ronny

A similar route to last week’s used by Martin and I, but with a couple of variations – one of which was that it was a return trip. The other notable difference was that I stuck to fairly good surfaces throughout.

The Plan was to nip over to Decathlon in Stockport to collect some bits.

The River Mersey looked only a little swollen, surprising considering the recent rainfall.

If you can see the Peak District expect rain, if you can’t see the Peak District…..

In order to miss the gloopiness of the Transpennine Trail alongside the River Mersey I diverted through Fletcher Moss Gardens. I’d heard of it but hadn’t visited – my loss. According to Wiki the park is named after local Alderman Fletcher Moss, who donated the park to the city of Manchester in 1919. It’s part botanical garden and part wildlife habitat, but also offers recreational facilities such as recently refurbished tennis courts, rugby and football pitches, and a family run café. I didn’t try the cafe – that’s for next time.

Anyway, some photographs taken around Fletcher Moss:

Silver Birch, lovely to look at…and excellent firewood

Sunset from Fletcher Moss

Unfortunately Decathlon didn’t have any of the bits I needed. It wasn’t a wasted trip though, I really enjoyed my little trip. And I didn’t see Jo Brand again.

Where I went, I came back by the same route:

Around 17 miles of niceness.

 

And this is Ronny the Ridgeback:

Monday 1st February, Dunham again

After a busy few days I was in need of a walk, if nothing else then just to get some fresh air. Long Suffering Rick readily agreed to join me and so off we went. The Plan was to do the ‘usual’ route along the Bridgewater Canal (aka ‘The Duke’s Cut’, being as what it was the Duke of Bridgewater’s canal, cut to transport the output of the Lancashire treacle mines).

There was quite a strong wind blowing – against us of course, but at least it wasn’t raining.

Much of the canal towpath has been resurfaced over the last year or so, in fact it’s now possible to walk / cycle / run into Manchester City centre from Altrincham without getting muddy feet.

The ‘new’ path allowed us to move at a good speed. Unfortunately, travelling in the south westerly direction (our direction) the money must have run out just beyond Broadheath so we were back to the mud after a couple of miles.

Where the money ran out

Bridgewater Gloopiness

Despite the mud we managed a good pace into Dunham Park – which coincided nicely with butty time. Considering it was a Monday the park was surprisingly full.

Our return leg routed us through the Devisdale conservation area, a wonderfully tranquil area. It wasn’t always so:

From the eighteenth century the 'Bowdon Wakes' were held on The Devisdale. Events such as horse, pony and donkey racing, climbing the greased pole, juggling, hen racing and foot races would run across three days and often involved heavy drinking by both men and women alike.

My kinda place then

Disused tennis courts at Denzell House in the Devisdale – gives some idea how grand the place must once have been.

Back into Altrincham, an unsuccessful shopping trip for a case for my batphone, followed by a quick sprint home. Nice.

Timperley Brook

Just up the road from JJ Towers is a small but popular church. The powers-that-be in the church have decided that it’s not economic to have a resident church minister. The vicarage has been sold off, a large number of flats are due to be built on the plot. I though it prudent to photograph the building before it succumbs to the wrecking ball:

The Holy Cross Vicarage, Park Road, Timperley. February 2016

Thanks to Rick for once again coming out on one of my last-minute, seat of the pants walks.

Where we went:

Around 9.5 miles and very flat

Next up….well due very soon: Another Curry Walk.

PS: 19337 steps.

Wednesday 27th Jan 2015, Portwood to Timperley

A nice flat walk

Martin’s new car needed a fettle, the fettling needed to be carried out at the garage in Stockport. Being as wot we hadn’t seen one another for quite some time (my fault, not his) we both thought it would be a bit of a wheeze to drive his car to the garage and then walk home. And so we did.

After delivering the only slightly poorly car do the garage we wandered into town, first for a leisurely coffee and then to visit the fine folk at Alpenstock, purveyors of equally fine outdoor gear. If you’ve not visited then you should – the staff are both knowledgeable and friendly…..and if you hang around long enough you’re likely to be plied with coffee. Not much not to like

Our route home predominantly followed the River Mersey – which rather conveniently (for us) flows through the centre of Stockport. The surface of the riverside path has been significantly improved of late and we walked at a pleasantly brisk pace.

A few snaps of our walk:

A sad reminder of the Stockport Air Crash, I remember it too well

Not quite the standard of graffiti the Martin has been used to of late!

Birdies

Tatton Arms, lorst and gorn

Tatton Weir

Another birdie

Where we went:

11.5 miles,mostly downhill.

FitBit….not

I haven’t got a FitBit but I frequently use a pedometer, so in case anyone is interested: 19368 steps – which seems about right to me.

Highlights of the walk: Alpenstock, Martin’s company (and his yummy cakes!), bits of the area I’d not previously walked, it only rained once. Oh, and we didn’t see Jo Brand – she was probably ahead of us by a few miles.

Thanks to Martin for the invite, his cakes and company – and the chance to catch up.

With any luck you should find the GPX of the route here.

Test – with Open Live Writer

I’ve been a fan of Open Source Software ever since I started using Linux on an old laptop. I was delighted to discover (from Martin) that Live Writer is now Open Source – particularly as I’d all but given up on blogging because of the unreliability and frequent ‘outages’ of M$ Live Writer when trying to post to my blog.

Anyroadup, this is a test using Open Live Writer on Win7 Pro.

Photos from last year’s OM NYM weekend:

 

Especially for Gayle....and Mick

Play Time

Rob’s YouTube video: Not sure who the ugly bugger is – the one who nicks a pint at the end.

Thursday 12th November:

8.40pm: Plough, Ashton on Mersey (Hydes)

9.10pm: Volunteer, Sale (Holts)

9.40pm: Prairie Schooner, Urmston (Brewery Tap)

10:15pm: Steamhouse, Urmston (Freehouse)

10.45pm: Church Inn, Flixton (Various cask ales)

Friday 13^th Nov

7.45pm: Greyhound, Ashley (JW Lees)

8.30pm: Railway, Hale (Robinsons)

9.00pm: Old Market Tavern, Altrincham (Freehouse: ELEVEN handpumps!)

9.30pm: Malt Shovels, Altrincham (Sam Smith)

10.10pm: Costello’s, Goose Green, Altrincham (Brewery Tap, Dunham Brewery)

10.40pm: Quarry Bank, Timperley (Hydes)

 

 The BIG day is Saturday:

2.30pm: St Werburgh's Autumn Fair, Warburton (Tea….hmmm)
6.15pm: Black Swan, Hollin Green, WA3 6LA (Various cask)
6.45pm: Rope & Anchor, Dunham, WA14 5RP (Various cask)
7.15pm: Axe & Cleaver, Dunham, WA14 4SE (Various cask)
7.45pm: Swan with 2 Nicks, Little Bollington, WA14 4TJ (Various cask)
8.15pm: Spread Eagle, Lymm, WA13 0AG (JW Lees)
8.45pm: Green Dragon, Lymm, WA13 9SB (Various cask)
9.30pm: Saracen's Head, Warburton, WA13 9TH (Dunham Brewery)

The Saracen's Head performance is the last of the season and is one huge party.

Lymm Folk Club are running a singers night in conjunction with The Play and there'll be music, singing & dancing afterwards.

More information about The Play here. 

Come and have a look-see if you’re at a loose end, it’s going to be fun!

Warburton Souling starts tonight

The Warburton (Cheshire) Souling Play season starts this evening, Monday 2nd November

The Plan (Ho-ho!):

8pm Saracen's Head (Dunham Brewery), Warburton

8.45pm The Vine (Sam Smith's), Dunham

9.15pm The Black Swan (Free House?), Hollins Green

10pm The Wheatsheaf (Hydes) Agden

If you're doing nowt and fancy having your pint nicked by Beelzebub then you know where to be!